In real life, Sally, is my pal Claire Hall’s furry loved one. She collaborates with me to write this first of a four part series. The characters and plot are taken from the neighborhood adventures and antics of “Our Gang” comedies from the 1940s when boomers were kids… You know, like so many of us ol’folks…
First, “Our Gang Comedies” from a special time long ago…
“Pete the Pup (original, 1924 – June 1930; second Pete, September 9, 1929 – January 28, 1946) was a character in Hal Roach’s Our Gang comedies (later known as The Little Rascals) during the 1930s, otherwise known as “Pete, the dog with the ring around his eye”, or simply “Petey”. The second Pete was an American Staffordshire Terrier named Lucenay’s Peter.[1] He was well known for having a circled eye which was added by Hollywood make-up artist Max Factor[2] and credited as an oddity in Ripley’s Believe It or Not. The original Pete (sired by “Tudor’s Black Jack”) was a UKC registered American Pit Bull Terrier named “Pal, the Wonder Dog”,[3][4][5][6] and had a natural ring almost completely around his right eye; dye was used to finish it off.”
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Gang
Featuring…
Sally is the voice of reason and love…
English Bull Terriers have a distinctive look with their long noses and lots of personality. They are also famous—both the Target Dog and Spuds McKenzie are Bull Terriers, and maybe, the “Rascals,” I imagine…
I always wanted one of my own, but never thought it would happen. Then I saw a Facebook post that someone was rehoming one. The one cautionary note was that she’s deaf.
We drove to meet her, and it was love at first sight. Once her former family was assurred we would offer her a good home, we all drove away happily together.
My family named her Sally. After a fun game with names that spoke to our hearts, and a vote, she’s my Sally…
It’s clear she hasn’t lived an easy life up to now. It appears she was attacked my the other dogs in her former household and she bears the scars.
I also discovered emotional traumas. She was shy and a little scared. That’s changing every day. She’s more confident, open and loving every day.
Her external scars are healing (it looks like she was attacked a few times by other dogs at her former home) and her emotional scars are healing too.
There are three other furry loved ones in our household. She loves being part of a pack that plays with each other and loves each other.
Sally, Sam, Simba, and Spanky, live together in harmony, mostly. We’ll get to that later…
In the last few weeks a lot of traumas have caught up with me. With good care team and lots of love, is helping to heal. I help to heal Sally too…
How could you not fall in love with this sweet face? I sure did. Claire Elizabeth Hall, Newport, Oregon
(A big shout out and hug to Claire Hall, for inspiring me to write this series of uplifting and healing stories! Thank you, buddy!)
Now, back to the “Rascals” the neighborhood furry friends gang…
The “Rascals,” we call them in the neighborhood. “Our Gang Comedies,” remember them?
“Spanky” is trouble, indeed…
You can count on Spanky serving up a prank or two each day in the neighborhood. He’ll chase chickens to play, or steal the neighbors shoes on a good day…
“Simba” cuddles and sooths the soul…
Simba awakes first early each morning. He goes around to his brood one by one and nudges them gently, with his wet nose and a soft purr. They all know in fairly quick succession, It’s time to rise to the occasion. “It’s time for breakfast, for me first, then you,” Simba says with a soft purr..
“Sam” is the wise ol’ dude with a slight grin…
Sam is often up before even Simba. He’s having is first treat, hidden away the night before under the couch. Sam wants to get the news first on CNN before Spanky and Sally show. Sam is a wise ol’ dude who gets it right most of the time, but not all the time…
“Sally” the voice of reason…
See where Sally fits in? She goes around before breakfast to greet and hug her brothers, while the breakfast is on the grill…
This is the first of a four part series featuring the 21st century “Our Neighborhood Gang,” as furry loved ones in Little Whale Cove, Oregon…
Next up? Spanky, will take us on a wild ride, unleased by accident, in the rain forest down to the Cove. I’m already excited about writing this tale of mostly kindness and love, with a few bumps on the trail down to the sea…
Children and Families in Life After Trauma
For more stories like this, including a contributing furry loved one story from my pal, Claire Hall, download my new ebook to your smartphone or tablet. Be sure to get Kindle app! Thank you!
